There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

Historic Alexandria is a treasure trove of early structures, artifacts, and records that creates a unique way of life for its citizens and provides enjoyment for thousands of people who visit this special community every year. The City continues to add resources to its collection of local and nationally designated historic districts.

Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

The City provides a number of services to residents, including refuse collection and recycling. In addition, the City is responsible for maintaining streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

Did you know that ACPS is one of the most diverse school systems in the country? Our students come from more than 80 different countries, speak more than 60 languages, and represent a myriad of ethnic and cultural groups. The Alexandria Library is an educational, user-oriented service institution providing free public access to recorded knowledge and ideas.

The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

If you are looking for small-town charm and big-city amenities, Alexandria is the place to find them. Alexandria has a fascinating history, and many of its historic buildings are still preserved today. The City's many historic homes, churches, businesses, and museums allow residents and visitors alike to experience the past that makes it the charming town it is today.

Alexandria is a desirable location to live, work and play. The City owns many of the premier historic sites in Alexandria and it is charged with the conservation, interpretation and promotion of these links to the past.

Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

Ideally located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Alexandria is nationally recognized as one of the best places to live and do business on the east coast. Learn how we can help you start or relocate your business in Alexandria, and access resources for existing businesses and commuters.

Alexandria offers wide range of job opportunities and services. Work for City government or City Public Schools, find out about an internship opportunity or learn about workforce development and career training options.

Call.Click.Connect., the City’s online customer service system, allows customers to submit service requests, report problems, search for information, or find the right contact to call for various issues and topics of interest.

Alexandria offers wide range of job opportunities and services. Work for City government or City Public Schools, find out about an internship opportunity or learn about workforce development and career training options.

Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

The City provides a number of services to residents, including refuse collection and recycling. In addition, the City is responsible for maintaining streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

The Alexandria City Council is composed of a Mayor and six Council members who are elected at-large for three-year terms. The Mayor, who is chosen on a separate ballot, presides over meetings of the Council and serves as the ceremonial head of government.

The City of Alexandria has a strong commitment to citizen participation as evidenced by the number of citizen boards and commissions established by City Council. These bodies compose a formal system through which citizens can advise City Council on all major issues affecting the City.

There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

The City government acts with integrity in an open process, and provides timely access to clear, trustworthy information, presented and employed by all parties from the beginning to the end of the process, including the reasoning that leads to and supports the policy conclusion.

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Sunday, May 25 – West End Farmers’ Market at Ben Brenman ParkThe public is invited to shop at the West End Farmers’ Market beginning at 9 a.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. Featuring home baked goods, breads and pastries, and locally grown produce, this farmers’ market is one of a kind on the City’s West End. The West End Farmers’ Market will be open Sundays, May through October, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. For additional information, call the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.838.4343.

Sunday, May 25 – HistoricAlexandriALIVE
Alexandria's historic past comes to life between noon and 5 p.m.! See live, engaging performances at the Waterfront behind the Torpedo Factory. Courtesy of McLean High School’s Project Enlightenment program, meet and talk with Alexandria visitors and residents from the 18th century along the waterfront and lower King Street. For more information, please visithttp://oha.alexandriava.gov/oha-main/oha-historicAlexandriaLive.html

Monday, May 26 – All City of Alexandria Government Offices Closed in Observance of the Memorial Day Holiday

Monday, May 26 – Holiday Refuse Collection
The City of Alexandria reminds citizens residential trash and recycling will not be collected on Memorial Day, May 26. Collections will be delayed by one day and continue to run on a holiday refuse collection schedule during the week of May 26-30. For more information, please the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services, Solid Waste Division at 703.519.3486.

Monday, May 26 – Thirty-first Annual Memorial Day Jazz FestivalThe City of Alexandria will host the 31st Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival from 1 to 7 p.m. at Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Rd. Admission is free. (In case of inclement weather, the festival will be relocated to the Lee Center’s Kauffman Auditorium, 1108 Jefferson St.) The festival features music from the Difficult Run Jazz Band; Project Natale; Larry Brown Quintet; Sandra Johnson Quintet, and Al Williams. For more information on the City of Alexandria’s Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or the Special Events Office at 703.838.4844.

Thursday, May 29 – “Lunch Bunch” Concerts at Market SquareThe City’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and General Services is once again sponsoring the “Lunch Bunch” concerts at Market Square, 301 King St. The concerts, which feature students from local and visiting schools, are free and open to the public. All concerts begin at 12:15 p.m. Please note that in case of inclement weather, concerts may be canceled. To check the status of concerts, please call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686. The George Mason Elementary School Musicians (Alexandria, VA) are the featured group.

Thursday, May 29 – Personal and Professional Perspectives on Depression
Clinical Psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She is one of the foremost authorities on manic-depressive illness, and she has experienced its exhilarating highs and catastrophic depressions first hand. Jamison was named one of the “Best Doctors in the United States” and is the author of several books on mental health and depression. This free event will begin at 6:45 p.m. at Minnie Howard School, 3801 W. Braddock Rd. For more information, contact Jennifer Cohen Cordero at 703.838.4455, ext. 161 or e-mail jennifer.cohen-cordero@alexandriava.gov.

Thursday, May 29 – Information Session on Small Business Zoning ChangesThe Department of Planning and Zoning will hold an Information Session on the proposed Small Business Zoning Changes from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Room 2000, City Hall, 301 King St. A staff report and proposed changes for Small Business Zoning were presented to the Planning Commission on May 6. The Planning Commission deferred action on the requested changes and directed staff to provide additional time for interested citizens and businesses to review and provide feedback in anticipation of a re-hearing of the proposed changes on July 1. For more information, please call Rich Josephson at 703.838.4666 or e-mail richard.josephson@ alexandriava.gov.

Thursday, May 29 – Wayfinding Joint Community and Stakeholder Advisory Group MeetingResidents are invited to a community meeting to provide input on the development and design of a comprehensive, citywide wayfinding signage system. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/wayfinding or call Carrie Beach at 703.838.4666 ext. 325.

Thursday, May 29 – Potomac Yard Community Open House and Potomac Yard Development Advisory Committee MeetingResidents are invited to a Potomac Yard Community Open House to learn more about the proposed density shift in Landbays L, J and H. The open house will be held at 7 p.m. at the George Washington Middle School Library, 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave. Immediately following the open house will be a meeting of the Potomac Yard Development Advisory Committee. For more information, please call Matthew North at 703.838.4666 ext. 326.

Thursday, May 29 – Community Meeting on 48 S. Early St. Pocket Park
The public is invited to attend a community meeting to review and discuss a draft park plan for the property at 48 South Early St. The meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m., will be held at the property, which was acquired as part of the City’s Pocket Park Program. The purpose of the meeting is to present the draft park plan to the community and discuss the park elements that support a passive neighborhood use of the property. Persons unable to attend the meeting can send written comments to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, Attention: Laura Durham, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA 22314, or e-mail laura.durham@alexandriava.gov.

Now Enrolling – Archaeology Summer Camp 2008Young people ages 12 to 15 will discover Alexandria’s history through archaeology at this unique day camp. Assist professional archaeologists at a real excavation site; go on special field trips, and more! Applications are being accepted for two week-long sessions in July. For more information, please visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org or call 703.838.4399.

Saturday, May 31, 2008 – Landmark/Van Dorn Plan Development WorkshopResidents are invited to a community workshop on Landmark/Van Dorn Development at the Samuel Tucker School Cafeteria, 435 Ferdinand Day Drive, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, contact Pat Mann at 703-838-4666, extension 303

Now open through Monday, September 8 – Living Legends of Alexandria ExhibitionThe Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.) is hosting Living Legends of Alexandria, which celebrates and documents individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the quality of life in Alexandria. Living Legends of Alexandria features photographs of 48 nominees by Nina Tisara, with information about their contributions by Christa Watters. The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For more information, please visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.

Now open through Wednesday, December 31 – Drawings by William Lydston, Jr. ExhibitionThe Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site (4301 W. Braddock Rd.) has extended this exhibition of Civil War artwork through the end of the year. Civil War drawings by soldier, artist, and musician William Lydston, Jr., are featured, with musical instruments and related objects as part of the statewide celebration of Virginia’s musical heritage. Admission is free. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, please visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.

Coming Soon!

Saturday, June 7 – Arlington and Alexandria Community Bike RideGrab your family and friends and bring them out to the 4th annual Arlington & Alexandria Community Bike Ride at 8 a.m. This non-competitive ride is designed for families and people of all ages and will give you a fun, first-hand view of some of the best trails, bike routes and facilities the region has to offer. With two routes to choose from, full-service rest stops, valet bike parking, and music and entertainment at the finish line in Crystal City, it's sure to be a fun-filled day! For more information or to register, visit www.waba.org/events/cbr/index.php

Saturday, June 7 – 16th Annual Armenian FestivalThe City of Alexandria will host the 16th Annual Armenian Festival from noon to 6 p.m. at Market Square, 301 King St. Admission is free, and the festival will be held rain or shine. The festival features Armenian foods, arts and crafts, and live entertainment including instrumentalists and vocalists, and Arax Dance Ensemble. For more information on the Armenian Festival, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or the Special Events Office at 703.838.4844.

Sunday, June 8 – Annual Arlandria-Chirilagua FestivalThe City of Alexandria will host the Annual Arlandria-Chirilagua Festival from noon to 7 p.m. at the Mt. Vernon Village Shopping Center, in the 3700 to 3800 blocks of Mt. Vernon Avenue. Admission is free and the festival will be held rain or shine. The festival features live entertainment, children’s activities, traditional arts and crafts from South America, Bolivia, Peru, and Central America, and food and beverage sales. For more information on the Arlandria-Chirilagua Festival, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or the Special Events Office at 703.838.4844.